Since I am graduating from the College of William and Mary this May, I have been trying to do everything there is to do in Williamsburg before I leave. Allow me to share my suggestions, along with those of some other upperclassmen, of what adventures to have during your time here.
- My first suggestion is to go to Wawa past midnight! Did you know Williamsburg has the highest grossing Wawa without a gas station in the nation? That’s because our peculiar nightlife centers around a brightly lit 24-hour convenience store in which students scramble drunkenly for paninis and the hot chocolate bar.
- I may be biased as a gymnast myself, but go to a gymnastics meet! Only 15 schools sponsor the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s gymnastics teams (compared to 84 women’s) and the College is one of them! We also have an amazing women’s team, so show out!
- I highly recommend visiting Busch Gardens, even if roller coasters aren’t your thing; the architecture and immersive experience with lots of green spaces are worth it! The park also hosts holiday events with spectacular light shows and costuming. Tickets are definitely on the more expensive side, but be on the lookout for discounts.
- I have loved every show that I have attended at the Meridian. This is my favorite music venue in the area, and they host local and touring bands. They are so inclusive and make the experience of live music even more enjoyable!
- On the note of live music, attend a Techno Society Event! They host talented student DJs that perform sets from acid techno to house to hardcore!
- One of the most fun events I have taken part in is Contra Dance at the Norge Community Hall in Williamsburg. Held from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month, contra dance is a traditional Appalachian folk dance style similar to square dancing with live music and a caller guiding the dancers. No experience is required, and it’s free!
- I cannot overstate how amazing and important attending events hosted by cultural organizations on campus are. Whether you go to Chinese Student Organization’s Lunar New Year Show, Students of the Caribbean Association’s Dancehall Workshop or any other multicultural organization event, it will be a worthwhile experience.
- I recommend visiting the art museums of Colonial Williamsburg. They are free for students and have thousands of art pieces.
- Also in Colonial Williamsburg, you can find farm animals that are so sweet. I went to see the sheep just the other day!
- This one is not possible unless you have access to a car, but the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is only an hour away from Williamsburg and boasts a beautiful biodiverse landscape and hiking trails.
- As someone who immigrated here from Europe, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Kielbasa, a European food store, exists in Williamsburg in a half-abandoned strip mall. The store is mostly centered around Eastern European foods like Morkovcha and pickled beets. The owners are really friendly, and being there brings back childhood memories for me.
- Another timeless experience is taking a walk in Colonial Williamsburg. Having been to St Andrews University in Scotland, I can say that Colonial Williamsburg reminds me of its campus.
- If you are into the outdoors, the James River is a great place to visit. You could visit Jamestown Beach, College Creek or Archer’s Hope and take a swim in the river!
- Attending a Cambridge House Lecture or one hosted by the philosophy or religion departments is a good way to expand your worldview. In addition, all departments host seminars and colloquia that are fun to check out even if you are in a different area of study.
- When it’s nice out, I recommend kayaking or canoeing on Lake Matoaka. The boathouse has free rentals for students, and I’ve seen dozens of beautiful birds every time I’ve been there.
- Another nature-related suggestion is to go fishing at the Bote-dock (the dock behind the Botetourt Complex) or the Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre. This can be a very peaceful and fun experience to do with friends or alone.
- I highly recommend taking a one-credit pass/fail interdisciplinary wellness course like Mindfulness Meditation or Flourishing. I took Flourishing, and it taught me a lot of skills to help me succeed as well as break up a stressful academic workload.
- There is a lot of value in participating in university-based volunteer opportunities, whether it be farming with the Williamsburg Community Growers or tutoring with Griffin School Partnerships. I love the Service Saturday opportunities that allow you to try new community activities without having to commit. I also recommend the Trail Crew projects, a recent addition to the College.
- I recommend participating in, making a film for or at least watching the 24 Speed Filmmaking Competition. Students are given a prop and a quote they must include in their film, and then they can take whatever creative liberties to bring to life a short film in just 24 hours.
- Whether you are super involved in sports or barely athletic, I suggest joining an intramural sports team. The intramural sports like handball or basketball are chill and welcoming.
Well, there you have it: a unique list of suggestions to round out your experience in Williamsburg. Hopefully, this article inspires some fun adventures in the ‘Burg.
